The Cold War II ?

US-Russia relations comparable to ‘dark days of Cold War’

Former US Defence Secretary William Perry has warned that because of the current relations between the US and Russia there is a danger that they are entering a new Cold war which could end in nuclear conflict. Speaking at the International Luxembourg Forum on Preventing Nuclear Catastrophe in Paris on Monday, Perry asked rhetorically: "Have we forgotten the Cuban missile crisis?” “We are beginning a new Cold War, with the worst possible outcome a nuclear war between the US and Russia. Relations today between the US and Russia are comparable to the dark days of the Cold War.”.

Perry warned that an escalation of the current global situation could have major consequences in a matter of hours, specifically noting the possibility for escalation between the US and Russia, India and Pakistan, or North and South Korea. “We could have the same number of casualties as all of World War II, only these would happen in six hours instead of six years,” he said, as quoted by the Times of Israel.

Over the last few years the relationship between Russia and the West (especially the US) has dramatically deteriorated. President Vladimir Putin has also launched one of his most stinging critiques of U.S. foreign policy, listing what he called some of the biggest betrayals in U.S.-Russia relations. He also said these are the darkest days of U.S – Russia relations.

The threat of nuclear war looms.

And elsewhere in the world, the threat of nuclear war is growing. In August, Iran warned that it could revive its nuclear programme within hours, if the US set about breaking the accord which led to Iran scaling back its atomic programme. Then in early October as Mr Trump appeared to be determined to go down that route, Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki stated that Iran will never abandon its “legal and obvious” right to nuclear technology.

Similarly, there has been much ‘sabre rattling’ ,between President Trump and Kim Jong-Un, with the US President stating "North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen. Kim Jong-un has been very threatening beyond a normal state. As I said, they will be met with fire and fury and, frankly, power, the likes of which this world has never seen before.“

In another message he warned that’ he was prepared to ‘totally destroy’ North Korea,’ and branded Kim Jong-un a ‘rocket man on a suicide mission’…

While the next day North Korean leader Kim Jong Un launched a salvo of threats aimed at President Donald Trump and later North Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Ri Yong Ho later said his country may consider testing a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific Ocean. Saying "It could be the most powerful detonation of an H-bomb in the Pacific," "We have no idea about what actions could be taken as it will be ordered by leader Kim Jong Un."

And as tensions rise over North Korea’s repeated missile tests the US is sending twelve of its newest stealth fighter bombers to Japan.

US sends stealth bombers to Japan

Loose cannons everywhere

Whatever President Trump believes, the N Koreans have become a palpable threat to the USA. Already in 2017 they have successfully tested 4 ballistic missiles and experts in the US consider that they now have the capability to launch an attack mainland USA. Their last atomic bomb test had a yield of 50-120 kilotons, whereas the bomb dropped on Hiroshima was a mere 15 kilotons and that caused 160,000 deaths.

North Korea's missile launch

God is in control

The fear of another Cold War between the USA and Russia, then, is reasonable as is a ‘Hot War’ with North Korea. And yet this ought not to cause the Bible Student alarm , because God is in control. However surprising we find the behaviour of President Trump; Kim Jong Un or President Putin, we can be reassured that they act only with God’s permission and that HE has set them up to carry out HIS will. Paul tells us in Romans 13:1 ‘For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God’. And the Prophecy of Daniel tells us ‘the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.’ Furthermore, the Lord Jesus told his disciples that such fearful times as we see would come just before his return. Luke 21:25-28And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

And finally we have the promise of God, given 3 times in the Old Testament that – ‘as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD’. (Nu 14:21; also Psalm 72:19 and Habakkuk 2:14), whilst Psalm 46:9 promises 'He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire'.

Whatever the outcome of today’s frightening situation, there will come a time of peace and joy which just as the angels promised when they announced the birth of Jesus….. will all be accomplished when the Lord Jesus returns to claim his Kingdom and establish a rule of peace, ‘even so come Lord Jesus’ (Revelation 22:20).